Louis D. Rubin, Jr. (1923–2013)

A rather loosely connected group of essays, mostly originating as reviews of books about World War I, but opening with "A Certain Day in 1939" which described growing up as a Reformed Jewish boy in Charleston, SC between the two world wars, automatically accepting the southern military tradition even though his own ancestry had nothing to do w8th the Civil War. It is one of the best descriptions of how being "southern" and accepting the sentimental Confederate historical tradition could be show more something quite different from the racism with which it is usually identified. The other essays tend to express the view that World War I Germans were just "Nazis with better manners" and that World War I battles were all mindless slaughters, both of which I find a bit simplistic but probably natural for someone who grew up in his conditions as an American Jew who served (however ineptly, by his frank account) in World War 2. He does come across as a profoundly humane civilized human being. show less

I loved this book.

In his 60s Louis Rubin decides to take the plunge and have a boat built to his own specifications. It is to be a recreational vehicle with the solid hull of a working class boat. With eloquence, Rubin examines his own history and the various boats he has owned. Understanding the meaning of boats in his life leads the author to a better understanding of himself.

Reread in light of so much that has been written and portrayed about the press, especially since the Trump era began. I treated it as a rest stop from more serious and denser reading; what I came away with, however, was some personal thoughts about my first job, then others’ first jobs and reminiscences … such as Twain in “Old Times on the Mississippi.”

An engaging collection of essays on everything from writing to boxing and the state of the publishing industry.